2025 saw an especially shocking spike in Saudi Arabia, with Human Rights Watch reporting at least 241 executions as of November. For us, this alarming figure is more than just a statistic — it’s a troubling trend. At this pace, the year would break every other annual execution record. Against this backdrop, the Riyadh Comedy Festival—billed as “the world’s biggest comedy festival”—drew widespread attention and controversy.
The festival featured an impressive lineup of comedians including Louis CK, Kevin Hart, Aziz Ansari, Dave Chappelle, Marc Maron, and Shane Gillis. Their participation sparked the storm of fire and fury from outraged rich guys. Back in 2014, some of us criticized the World Cup on the grounds that it really distracted from Brazil’s terrible human rights abuses.
One of the headliners at the comedy festival, Bill Burr, took to social media to justify his choice to go ahead with his shows. He had some particularly harsh words for critics he deemed “sanctimonious cunts.” Burr made the case that meeting audiences in these kinds settings can create a climate conducive to dialogue on some of society’s most urgent concerns.
“If you actually give a fuck about those people and how they’re living over there, there’s gonna have to be these types of things to pull them in.” – Bill Burr
Louis CK had made the same argument that the festival was a “wonderful opportunity” for comedians to start “leading the conversations.” He emphasized that “comedy is a great way to get in and start talking,” suggesting that laughter could pave the way for more serious discussions about societal issues.
Many attendees expressed a sense of unease about the festival’s new setting. Comedian David Cross was among those who took to Twitter to voice their outrage, with Cross calling himself “disgusted” by the event. Jessica Kirson recently issued an apology for her participation. She is committed to advocacy for LGBTQ+ people in Saudi Arabia, who are still executed for their lack of legal protections and existence.
Joey Shea, researcher for Human Rights Watch. He condemned the festival as a gross insult to the dire circumstances in Saudi Arabia. He said the most critical factor was the timing. It happened to be the seventh anniversary of the brutal, premeditated murder of U.S.-based journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Shea urged performers to use their platforms and advocacy for good.
“The seventh anniversary of Jamal Khashoggi’s brutal murder is no laughing matter, and comedians receiving hefty sums from Saudi authorities shouldn’t be silent on prohibited topics in Saudi like human rights or free speech.” – Joey Shea
Shea further urged all comedians participating in the festival to “use this high-profile opportunity to call for the release of detained Saudi activists,” emphasizing the need for awareness and action amidst rising human rights abuses.
The LGBTQ+ community in Saudi Arabia remains in a perilous situation, with no legal protections and potential execution for individuals identifying as such. This depressing reality has somewhat dampened the excitement at this year’s festival. It raises important questions about the appropriateness of entertainment occurring in a country where human rights—including freedom of expression—are widely oppressed.
Public discourse is intensifying over this event. At the same time, Aziz Ansari was under fire throughout his time on Jimmy Kimmel. He was immediately pressed with questions about his decision to play in a country known worldwide for severe human rights violations on every front.
The fight against Riyadh Comedy Festival is heating up. This unique predicament raises important questions about the role of artists and entertainers in politically charged climates. The use of humor set against such brutal conditions puts forth challenging questions on ethics and advocacy in the arts.